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- [Voiceover] In this video,we'll take a look at some of the threats that exist online.And then in the upcoming videos of this course,we'll take a deeper look into some of these issues,and how we can avoid them.Now, this list won't include all of the risks,and as technology continues to evolve at a rapid rate,new treats will arise.So this is a topic that you'll want to continueto read and learn aboutin order to stay up to date and informed.Now let's take a look at some of these internet threats.The first is viruses and malware.You've likely heard of these.They refer to malicious softwarecreated intentionally to compromise your device,your software, privacy, or sensitive personal information.

Another threat is online scams.Many scams exist that try to take advantage of you,in order to obtain your personal information, or even money.These can exist in the form of scare tactic messagesthough email or social media,in which someone poses as a reputable entitysuch as a bank or government.It could be a warningthat you need to take action on your account,or perhaps a great sale price, or offer for free software.When in fact, the link actually leadsto someone stealing your personal information,or uploading malware to your device.

You also have to beware of hackers.Or people who use their knowledge of technologyto look into your online actionsand obtain your sensitive personal information.They're often able to do thisbecause you're not taking the proper precautions.Such as installing the proper firewalls,keeping software up to date,you're sharing information over public wifi,using weak passwords, or other ways.Another treat is false information.When using the internet to do research for school,or even to obtain medical or legal advice,be aware that there are many sitesthat do not contain credible information.

The adage that, it's true because it's on the internet,simply isn't true.Make sure to use reputable sourcesand cross check for their validity.There's also a urge to pirate software, music, or videos.Mainly because it's so easy to do online.There are places where you can share file with others,or download torrents, that allow you to obtainfree copies of software or other content.Resist this urge.Not only is this illegal, but it's also dangerous,and a common way to acquire viruses or malware.

And finally, another threat is overshare of information.This is often done of social media sites,forums, emails, or on websites that you're usingin which you voluntarily submit your information.Remember to keep your sensitive information private.Be sure to protect your online reputationand digital footprint,and also respect the privacyand online rights of other people.These, along with a few others,are topics we'll discuss in this course,in an attempt to help you be updated and informedon ways in which you can stay safe while using the internet.

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Released

2/7/2017

Along with being a core part of building digital citizenship, internet safely is an essential skill for students. This course explores how students can protect themselves by understanding the nature of Internet-based threats and learning about the protection options and tools built right into most web browsers and mail systems. Topics include understanding secure and insecure web pages, avoiding phishing, recognizing malware and adware, and best practices for setting and maintaining a password.